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Kay Hoffman Movies

2003  
 
Add The Stranger Beside Me to Queue Add The Stranger Beside Me to top of Queue  
A remarkably self-deprecating entry in the USA network's off-and-on Ann Rule Presents series of fact-based films, The Stranger Beside Me details how Ann Rule (Barbara Hershey), a smart and savvy veteran crime reporter, allowed herself to be bamboozled by baby-faced serial killer Ted Bundy (Billy Campbell). Working side by side with Bundy as a volunteer at a Seattle rape crisis center in 1971, Rule had no clue that the personable and charming young man was responsible for one the most terrifying sex-murder sprees of the 20th century. Even after suspicion fell upon Bundy, Rule was initially willing to give him the benefit of the doubt -- as, alas, were so many law enforcement officials of the era. But once the truth was known, Rule embarked upon her own mea culpa campaign by going after Bundy with every resource at her disposal. Based on Rule's 1983 bestseller of the same name, The Stranger Beside Me originally aired March 21, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Barbara HersheyBill Campbell, (more)
 
2002  
R  
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Originally presented in two parts by the CBS network, Master Spy is the true story of Robert Hanssen, a disgruntled FBI agent who, for 20 years, systematically sold out his country to the former Soviet Union. The film depicts Hanssen (played by William Hurt) as hyper-intelligent and hyper-sensitive, frustrated by what he perceives to be the mediocrity of his fellow federal agents (at one point in the story, Hanssen's boss advises him to "dumb down" if he hopes to survive in the agency). Hanssen's self-imposed lofty standards and values are somewhat at odds with his rather kinky sexual preferences, and with his habit of spending far more than he earns. In danger of losing everything he owns due to improvident financial transactions, Hanssen proves to be ripe for plucking by the Soviet KGB, which offers him wealth beyond his wildest dreams if he will simply transfer top secret information to the Russians. Throughout his career of duplicity and treachery, Hanssen enjoys the unswerving loyalty of his wife, Bonnie (Mary-Louise Parker), who remains blissfully ignorant of his double-agent activities until the day of his arrest. Scripted by the inimitable Norman Mailer, Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story aired over two consecutive weekends, on November 10 and 17, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
William HurtMary-Louise Parker, (more)
 
2001  
 
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In response to the public's insatiable fascination with the Kennedy family, the NBC network brought forth this two-part miniseries, based on a book by Randy Taraborelli. Described by the author as "Knot's Landing goes to Capitol Hill," Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot covers a time span of 25 years, from the marriage of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier to the 1980 presidential bid of JFK's brother Teddy. To many observers, the film seemed to consist primarily of TV news bulletins announcing various and sundry Kennedy tragedies, punctuated by long, long discussions between the wives of JFK, Bobby, and Teddy regarding their husbands' various infidelities. Some of the intrigues are based on fact, notably the uneasy relationship between Jackie and Bobby's wife Ethel, and the drinking problems shared by Teddy and his wife Joan. Other segments, however, fall back on rumor and hearsay, notably the scenes involving Marilyn Monroe. At the very least, the three actresses chosen to play the title roles -- Jill Hennessy (Jackie), Lauren Holly (Ethel), and Leslie Stefanson -- looked, sounded, and behaved exactly like their real-life counterparts. Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot originally aired on March 4 and March 5, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Jill HennessyLauren Holly, (more)
 
2001  
 
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Based on a true crime story, the two-part TV movie And Never Let Her Go recounts the disappearance of Anne Marie Fahey in June of 1996, and the subsequent arrest and conviction of her accused murderer. Hired as a secretary by powerful Delaware attorney and gubernatorial aide, Thomas Capano (Mark Harmon), Anne Marie enters into a torrid and ofttimes abusive affair with her kinky boss. When Anne Marie's relatives report that she is missing, the governor of Delaware solicits the aid of the U.S. Department of Justice to solve the case. Although detective Frank Gugliatta (Paul Michael Glaser) and assistant U.S. attorney Colm Connolly (Steve Eckholdt) suspect that Capano has done away with Anne Marie, they are stymied by a lack of tangible proof...notably, the girl's body. It is not until Anne Marie's diary turns up in a most unexpected manner that Gugliatta and Connolly are able to fully act upon their suspicions -- and even then, the ultimate solution rests with the cooperation (or lack of same) of Capano's brother, Gerry (David Hewlett). Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis appears as Thomas Capano's formidable mother. Filmed in Toronto and told largely in flashback, And Never Let Her Go was originally telecast by CBS on April 1 and 4, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Mark HarmonRachel Ward, (more)
 
2000  
 
Another of the VH1 cable network's "rock biographies," The David Cassidy Story detailed the life and career of the titular teen idol of the 1960s and 1970s. Much of the film is devoted to the prickly relationship between singer-actor David Cassidy (Andrew Kavovit) and his father, handsome matinee idol Jack Cassidy (Malcolm McDowell). Although Jack opened several professional doors for David, according to the film he quickly became envious of his son's success. The relationship between David and his stepmom and Partridge Family co-star Shirley Jones (Dey Young) is less fractious (at least it is here), while others within David's orbit, notably his TV "sister" Susan Dey (Katie Wright) come off as somewhat two-dimensional. Also in the cast is Sibel Ergener as David's wife, actress Kay Lenz. The real Cassidy served as executive producer of The David Cassidy Story and supplied the vocals in the musical sequences. The film made its cable-TV bow on January 9, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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2000  
PG  
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Jennifer Love Hewitt stars in this made-for-TV biography of screen legend Audrey Hepburn, following her from her troubled youth as she grows up in Europe during WWII to her success as one of Hollywood's most sophisticated leading ladies. The Audrey Hepburn Story also features re-creations of several of Hepburn's most memorable moments onscreen, including the production of Breakfast at Tiffany's. The supporting cast includes Keir Dullea and Frances Fisher as her parents, Gabriel Macht as William Holden, Eric McCormack as Mel Ferrer, and Michael J. Burg as Truman Capote. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Jennifer Love HewittFrances Fisher, (more)
 
1999  
 
At the urging of her sister Joanne (Isabella Hoffman), battered wife Lisa Miles (Tracy Nelson) leaves her abusive husband Bill (Neil Mafin), taking her three children along with her. Refusing to let Lisa go, Bill continues to torment her, ultimately shooting her to death. As she lies dying in the hospital, Lisa begs Joanne to look after her children, and to seek out justice against Bill. In promising to do so, Lisa ultimately places not only her own life in jeopardy, but those of her own children as well. The Promise was made for the NBC TV network, where it was originally broadcast on August 15, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Tracy NelsonNeil Mafin, (more)
 
1998  
 
The scene is Cornwell University, where college journalist Mary Stuartson (Melissa Joan Hart) shares a dorm room with Holly Sherman (Lisa Dean Ryan). Returning to the room one night in a battered state, Holly tells Mary that she has been raped by the school's star athlete, Clay Roberts (Josh Hopkins). Mary urges Holly to alert the authorities, but Holly is afraid of what the incident might do to her reputation--and besides, who'd take her word over Clay's? Galvanized into action, Mary investigates the situation and unearths several other examples of date rape that have been swept under the rug on campus. She then writes a series of articles about fictional rape victim "Molly", thereby making herself a target of persecution, recrimination and retribution by students, faculty members and "townies" alike--but Mary isn't the sort of young woman who backs down when she knows she's right! This made-for-TV drama was produced by the mother and aunt of star Melissa Joan Hart, and features Melissa's younger sister Emily Hart in a supporting role. Silencing Mary originally aired March 8, 1998 on NBC. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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